CHENNAI: With Assembly elections approaching, intermediaries are increasingly misleading nurses and exploiting their emotions to provoke protests, alleged Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian on Tuesday, cautioning the healthcare workers to stay alert and not fall prey to false promises made outside official channels.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a fair price shop in Adyar, Subramanian referred to the recent protest by Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs), and said the nurses were recruited four years ago under the 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam' initiative on 11-month contracts. They receive a monthly salary of Rs 18,000, with 60 per cent funded by the Centre and 40 per cent by the State.
"A broker has falsely assured them that their services would be regularised if they came to Chennai. This is completely untrue," he said, adding that the National Health Mission Director had already held talks with MLHP union representatives and clarified the facts.
A broker has falsely assured them that their services would be regularised if they came to Chennai. This is completely untrue
Ma Subramanian, Health Minister
The Minister further said dengue incidence and fatalities had dropped sharply this year compared to the previous year, calling it a major success of the Public Health department's preventive measures and sustained awareness drives. He noted that during the previous AIADMK regime, dengue deaths peaked at 66 in 2012 and 65 in 2017. "Under the DMK government, fatalities are significantly lower. Most deaths now occur due to delayed hospital visits and self-medication," he said.
Dismissing opposition allegations on the drug menace, Subramanian said Tamil Nadu had been transformed into a drug-free State. "Ganja prevalence is at zero, and products such as pan masala have been strictly controlled," he asserted. He challenged opposition leaders to provide specific information on drug peddling, assuring confidentiality and swift action, and termed claims of rising drug crimes as baseless.